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The Scene

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said Canadians have a stronger sense
of community, while Americans have
a stronger sense of nation.
And while English is one of two offi-
cial Canadian languages and is the pre-
dominant spoken language, Blanchard
struggled with interpreting language dif-
ferences. "Tabling an issue [in Canada]
does not mean brushing it off," he
explained. "Rather it means it's there,
on the table to be discussed."
Blanchard is promoting his book
Behind the Embassy Door. One story
he described was of the first official
visitor he hosted as ambassador, with
his wife in their new Ottawa home. It
was Virginia Kelley, mother of
President Bill Clinton. Blanchard
laughed as he explained that Mrs.
Kelley had two causes: breast cancer
awareness and horseracing.
Canadian-born Michael Benchetrit,
32, concurred with much of the former
ambassador's talk. The Farmington Hills
resident has lived in the United States
for eight years and works as an immi-
gration attorney. `.`A lot of what was said
tonight was pretty much to the point,"
said Benchetrit.
"I came up with the same parallels,
having also lived in both countries.
Although the cultures may be differ-
ent, the Jewish community is active in
both countries, and that serves as the
common thread that will lead young
adults to become involved in politics.
In both countries it seems that this
group has learned to use the political
process as a forum for having impor-
tant issues voiced." ❑

Blue Nile
Evening Set

JN Online will celebrate this

year's Oscar event with its
annual contest. The person
that chooses the most correct
winners of a selection of
Oscar categories will win an
Oscar night on the town that
includes dinner at Fishbones
and four unrestricted passes
to the movies at the Star
Theatre. There will be a 2nd,
and 3rd place winner of two
Star passes each.

%TN

3/17

2000

108

In the event of a tie, winners will be
drawn at random.

Singles and couples aged 21-35 are
invited to an evening at the Blue Nile
restaurant in Greektown, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 30. Participants will
enjoy Ethiopian cuisine and learn
about the Ethiopian Project of the
Young Adult Division of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.
Featured speaker will be Blue Nile
owner Seifu Lessanework, who was
born in Ethiopia, lived in Israel and
now lives in metro Detroit.
The Young Adult Division partic-
ipates in the Joint Distribution
Committee's Shiluvim (integration)
program, which helps Ethiopian ele-
mentary school children adjust to
their new homes in Israel. The
Detroit YAD group works with the
Yigal Allon Elementary School in

Migdal HaEmek, Detroit's sister
region in Israel.
There is a $10 admission fee for
the March 30 event, which includes
dinner. Reservation deadline is March
24. For information or to register, call
Josh Cohen, (248) 203-1471 or
jcohen@gmd.org

Offering
Birthright Trip

Hillel: the Foundation for Jewish •
Campus Life is offering free trips to
Israel in May for students aged 18-
26.
The 10-day trips, starting May 14,
include all travel from Newark, N.J.
Applications will be accepted through
the end of March.
For information, call Hillel of
Metro Detroit, (313) 577-3459, or fill
out an online application at the Israel
2000 Web site, www.Israe12000.org

Happenings

For young adults, post-college
through 30-something.

March 18 Saturday, 9 p.m. Hillel of
Metro Detroit and Jewish Federation
Purim Bash at Congregation Shaarey
Zedek. Carnival, massages, art, social-
action projects, cash bar, and more.
Cost: $12. For information, call
Robyn Grauer, (313) 577-3459 or
hillel@wayne.edu

March 24 Friday, 7:30 p.m. Young
Adult Shabbat Service at Adat Shalom
Synagogue. The service is participato-
ry and led by young adults. Group
discussion and kiddush. For informa-
tion, call Beth and Jeremy Kahn,
(248) 544-6433.

Scene Travel

MARCH

March 24-26
Jewish singles weekend (ages 25-55)
in Washington, D.C. area.
Sponsored by Creative Events &
Introductions, Boston. Friday will
include a cocktail reception and
dance; Saturday, buffet breakfast,
dinner reception, swing dance lesson
and dance; Sunday, buffet breakfast.
DoubleTree Hotel, Rockville, Md.
For information, call Creative Events,
(978) 897-9422, or e-mail
evntc.re8tr@aol.com